Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates Witness Sharp Decline
New Delhi, Feb 28: India has made remarkable progress in the healthcare sector since 2014, with key health indicators such as the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) showing significant declines, Union Health Minister J P Nadda stated on Friday.Speaking at the 9th National Summit on ‘Good and Replicable Practices and Innovation in Public Healthcare System’ in Puri, Odisha, Nadda emphasized that India's MMR decline is double the global average, reflecting the government's strong commitment to strengthening the healthcare system at the grassroots level.
National Health Policy 2017 Brought a Paradigm Shift
Nadda credited the National Health Policy 2017 for driving substantial improvements in both primary and secondary healthcare services. He further highlighted that the government has been equally focused on enhancing tertiary healthcare infrastructure to ensure better access to critical treatments.Ayushman Bharat Scheme Enhances Cancer Care Access
The Health Minister cited a Lancet study, stating that patients enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) experienced a 90% increase in access to cancer treatment within 30 days, reducing delays in care and alleviating financial strain on cancer patients.TB Cases Declining at Double the Global Rate
Nadda also highlighted India's success in combating tuberculosis (TB), citing data from the WHO Global TB Report 2024, which shows a 17.7% decline in TB cases from 2015 to 2023—more than twice the global decline rate of 8.3%. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, the government remains committed to its TB eradication targets.ASHA Workers and Panchayati Raj Institutions Lauded for Their Role
Acknowledging the crucial role of public participation, Nadda praised ASHA workers and other grassroots health workers for their dedication in improving healthcare outcomes. He also stressed the need to empower Panchayati Raj institutions to further strengthen the healthcare framework in rural India.Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Through Lifestyle Changes
Recognizing the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension, Nadda urged the adoption of healthier lifestyles. He lauded the National Health Mission's NCD screening initiative, which offers free screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and three types of cancer—oral, breast, and cervical.Expansion of Day-Care Cancer Centres Across India
In a major healthcare initiative, Nadda announced that every district in the country will have day-care cancer centres within the next three years, with 200 districts set to receive these facilities in 2024 alone.With these developments, India continues to make strides in public health innovation, ensuring better healthcare accessibility and affordability for its citizens.
